Heartland AEA 11
6500 Corporate Dr.
Johnston, IA 50131-1603
www.aea11.k12.ia.us
3/2/05
PROJECT SEMI WILL ROLL STATE-OF-THE-ART BIOTECH LAB TO
SCHOOLS
JOHNSTON, Iowa -- A
partnership of Iowa businesses and educational and non-profit organizations
have combined resources to create an innovative way to deliver world-class
scientific training to Iowa students.
Project SEMI (Science
Education Mobile Instruction) is IowaÕs newest biotechnology classroom. The
53-foot, custom-built semi-trailer truck will provide Iowa students with
cutting-edge equipment, outstanding curriculum and scientific expertise.
When parked, the trailerÕs
sides will extend, creating a lab of more than 800 square feet, large enough to
accommodate 21 students. It will include computers, Internet access and the
latest materials and equipment for life sciences education. The unit will be
heated and air-conditioned and comply with Americans with Disabilities Act
requirements.
Project SEMI will provide
students with a modern life sciences and biotechnology laboratory not available
in Iowa classrooms. Teachers who want their students to experience the mobile
laboratory must be trained to use the facility before it will come to their
school or district, where it can remain up to several days for student
instruction.
The idea for Project SEMI
emerged from Heartland Area Education AgencyÕs Business and Education Center,
which unites education and business interests for the benefit of both. A
partnership of Iowa companies and educational and non-profit organizations soon
joined forces to develop a conceptual plan for Project SEMI.
The project took a major step
in 2004 when the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust of Muscatine granted $279,000
for the mobile lab. Corporations and other groups soon contributed funds, staff
time, materials and equipment to the effort.
Special trailers or modified
buses are bringing biotechnology to students in other states. However, none of
the others is staffed with a working scientist. Some Iowa companies with a
vested interest in developing scientists and science-literate Iowans will
provide time for their scientists to work in the lab. The result will be
teachers and students experiencing real-world biotechnology concepts.
Science teachers also will
use the lab for professional development. They will have opportunities to
improve their biotechnology knowledge and increase their use of effective
teaching strategies.
Biotechnology, the use of
biological processes to make useful products, is a growing industry. The number
of Iowa biotechnology companies is increasing, and the state needs more workers
skilled in the life sciences, according to Iowa Workforce Development.
IowaÕs economic future will
require citizens with greater science literacy, say state officials. The mobile
lab will increase student awareness and interest in the life sciences and
encourage youth to consider scientific careers.
When fully operational,
Project SEMI is expected to serve 30 to 35 school districts, nearly 14,000
students and more than 100 teachers annually. Des
Moines Area Community College, which has a truck driving and diesel mechanic
training program, will contribute the use of the semi tractor and driver to
pull the lab from school to school.
An educational/workforce component
of this project was funded by a grant awarded under the PresidentÕs High Growth
Job Training Initiative, as implemented by the U.S. Department of LaborÕs
Employment and Training Administration.
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Contacts:
Jim
Verlengia, Heartland AEA, (515) 270-9030 ext. 4319, jverlengia@aea11.k12.ia.us
Mary
Petersen, Heartland AEA, (515) 270-9030 ext. 4640, mpetersen@aea11.k12.ia.us
Doug
Getter, Iowa Biotechnology Association, (515) 327-9156, dgetter@netins.net
Steve Jones, Heartland AEA,
(515) 270-9030 ext. 4317, sjones@aea11.k12.ia.us